Principal Manager, Project Management, Ukraine Portfolio

Job Title : Principal Manager, Project Management, Ukraine Portfolio (P7)

Department : USG Programs

Reports to : Vice President, Implementation, Ukraine Portfolio

Work Location : Bethesda, Maryland

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of those affected by the conflict in Ukraine? We're looking for dedicated individuals to join DAI’s mission to the Ukrainian people - to improve governance, combat corruption, strengthen the national cybersecurity ecosystem, develop infrastructure, and build economic resilience.

We're committed to stand by Ukraine and its people as they defend their homeland, rebuild their communities, and restore hope in one of Europe's most resilient nations.

Position Overview

The Ukraine Portfolio seeks a Principal Manager, Project Management! The Ukraine program management portfolio currently has 6 active projects in technical sectors spanning economic growth, local governance, anti-corruption, and cybersecurity.

This position provides home office management, financial, and contractual oversight to U.S. Government-funded international development projects in Ukraine.

The position is responsible for enabling projects to achieve quality programming and development outcomes and is part of a core team of Project Managers (PMs) providing surge and capacity support to the portfolio with decision-making authority for one or more projects.

As project management team member this position provides support and collaborates with colleagues as needed.

This is a full-time hybrid position with Monday Thursday in office work in Bethesda, MD.

Responsibilities

Project Oversight

• Manages home office (HO) functions for one or more projects and relationships with the field teams.
• Manages resources across these teams and encourages collaboration within broader directorate and geography.
• Makes timely decisions; escalates to appropriate decision-maker as needed.
• Keeps Senior Portfolio Director (SPDs) informed of key management or technical issues on the projects.
• Participates in management or technical STTAs. Executes authorities listed in SOA.
• May serve as Acting Chief of Party (COP) or Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP).

Mobilizing Technical Expertise

• Identifies home office technical experts (e.g., from Development Innovations) that will serve as resources to the COP and component leads on the project.
• With the support of the Recruitment team and field human resources teams, engages in project level recruitment in support of STTA and LTTA vacancies.
• Participates and provides support as necessary to the COP and field team during all strategic planning sessions.
• Manages project extension or modification proposals.
• Reviews, supports, and edits (with COP) STTA deliverables as requested by field.
• Contributes to cross-portfolio knowledge sharing and is responsible for promoting project through success stories, DAI website updates, hosting project brown bags, etc.
• Contributes to cross-project learning with Development Innovations to deepen development solutions that are locally relevant, successful, and sustainable.

Quality Assurance

• Leads Quarterly Project Review (QPR) process.
• Responsible for following up on specific action items and / or taking measures for improvements as needed resulting from the Client Satisfaction Surveys (CSM) twice a year.

Conducts the call directly with the Technical Director.

Risk Management

• Provides oversight of operational activities, such as mobilization and demobilization of staff, home office-based procurement, etc.
• Troubleshoots complex or cross-departmental problems.
• Ensures compliance with DAI policies and procedures and, in consultation with support groups, provides recommendations for best practices (in areas such as inventory management, insurance, record management, export control, etc.).
• Serves as the primary point of contact for the COP and HO staff on technical, management, operational, and financial issues.
• Engages with Human Resources and SPDpersonnel issues as needed.
• Participates in project start-up and closedown and may serve as Start-up or Close-down Manager or Team Leader as appropriate.
• Proactively identifies and analyzes areas of risk and advises project team on solutions and preventative measures. Ensures compliance with internal and external audit findings.

Contractual Compliance

• Ensures overall contract compliance with client and DAI rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Resolves complex contractual issues with appropriate escalation and collaboration with Contracts and senior management.
• Manages preparation of budget realignments, contract modifications, and subcontract modifications.
• Ensures team members draft routine contractual documents using approved templates.
• Writes Statements of Work for subcontracts and serves as primary point of contact for all US based subcontractors and partners.

Financial Management

• Accountable for managing project financial performance targets (with COP); leads project financial reviews; analyzes and troubleshoots financial issues.
• Monitors and approves project non-billable costs; responsible for minimizing non-billable costs.
• Responsible for ensuring accuracy of project financial transactions and monthly project invoices.
• Reviews and approves home office payments (e.g., expense reports, vendor invoices).
• Monitors accuracy of project budget and provides analysis and solutions; understands financial structure of contract and advises COP and home office on profitability implications.
• Assists home office team and field with quarterly ETC projections and provides final ETC review.

Staff Management

• Supervises, trains and coaches Project Associates.
• Ensures COP receives DAI orientation and appropriate training.
• Ensures Project Associates / Specialists complete the required training as per the Learning Plan and have the skills and support to successfully carry out their SOWs.
• Encourages learning and knowledge sharing across USG Programs.
• Conducts performance reviews and goal setting meetings for Associates.
• If serving as a COP supervisor, conducts performance reviews for COPs along with the Technical Director

Business Development

• Serves as Proposal Pricer for proposals in their portfolio or other portfolios as needed.
• Principal Managers are also expected to serve as country-specific information providers around client knowledge, partnering and local staffing.

Additional responsibilities as deemed necessary.

Qualifications & Skills

Minimum Requirements :

• Grade 7 : Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience and a college degree. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Experience leading administrative, contractual, financial, and regulatory compliance in USG funded contracts with an overall value of at least $80 million.
• Excellent and up-to-dateknowledge of U.S. federal government regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience supervising both field and home office staff.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially conducting quantitative analysis in Excel.
• Excellent written and oral communication skillswith the ability to communicate information clearly and tailor communication style to diverse audiences.
• Able to build and maintainexcellent working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization and external clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Able and willing to adjust work schedule, as needed, to support teams located in different time zones / countries.
• Able and willing to travel to any country where DAI currently operates or may wish to operate barring times when DAI Global Security has deemed travel unsafe.

Project Managers are expected to take a minimum of one short-term assignment per year.

• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Based in one of the following U.S. locations where DAI is registered : District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington.

Preferred, but not required :

• Proficiency in a second language (Ukrainian, Spanish, French, Russian, or Arabic preferred).
• Prior experience working on or managing USAID-funded projects.
• Master’s degree in a relevant area.
• Experience working in host countries.

Supervisory Requirements :

May supervise one or more Project Associates, Project Specialists, or Chief of Party.

Compensation & Benefits :

For employees working the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between $ $118,614 - $128,232.

Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Eligible U.S. based employees will be able to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match.

Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, and parental leave, as well as short- and long-term disability coverage.

Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended.

For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work.

DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches.

All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.